Rhein-Neckar Metropolitan Region
Raoul is a Director-level innovation and ecosystem builder with 13+ years of experience designing and scaling high-impact innovation structures at the intersection of science, industry, and public policy. He currently leads a 17-person team within hei_INNOVATION and manages €2M+ annual funding, having successfully secured over €7M in competitive third-party funding. He plays a key role in the €20M NXTGN Startup Factory initiative, building and coordinating strategic partnerships with ten major industry partners. Raoul architects complex innovation ecosystems that translate cutting-edge research into scalable ventures, industry collaborations, and long-term regional impact. He operates at executive and policy levels, aligning universities, corporate partners, and public stakeholders to create sustainable innovation infrastructures. As Head of the INSPIRE BW Hubs, he coordinates all university incubators in Baden-Württemberg and shapes statewide startup and technology transfer strategy. He represents his institution in national and international innovation networks, including collaborations in Israel and the UK. Raoul combines strategic leadership with execution under uncertainty. He has scaled organizational structures from early-stage setups to multi-million-euro operations and built cross-sector alliances that enable technology-driven growth. In addition, he serves in the executive board of Heidelberg Startup Partners e.V., strengthening one of Germany’s leading startup ecosystems through industry integration and ecosystem orchestration.
Head of the transfer agency @ Heidelberg University with a budget of single digit Million Euro and 15+ team members. Responsible to make knowledge and technology of the university accessible to society.
Coordinating the university incubators within Baden-Württemberg.
Responsible for the interdisciplinary entrepreneurship education at Heidelberg University.
Responsible for making Heidelberg a City of Startups!
Responsible for making Heidelberg a City of Startups!
Head of the INSPIRE BW Hub Management orchestrating the startup centers of 28 universities within Baden-Württemberg
Finishing my PhD work
I have completed my PhD in Astronomy on the topic of structure and chemical evolution of the Magellanic Clouds, traced by variable stars.